Goshavank - Khachardzan / Classic Trail / Hike Armenia

The 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐡 - 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐳𝐚𝐧 ( Գոշից - Խաչարձան ) trail is one of the top hikes in Tavush, winding through the woods, along the river, and past Gosh Lake. It is part of the Armenian National Trail ( Հայաստանի ազգային արահետ ) , which stretches across the entire country.

▶Distance from Yerevan:
120 km 2 hr

▶Recommended for:
This trail is ideal for hikers who enjoy moderate hikes through forests, lake panoramas, and exploring villages.

◤Description of the trail:

--- Part of the trail matches with the Transcaucasian Trail (from Goshavank monastery till Semyonovka junction).

--- The hike starts on jeep tracks, gradually narrowing to a path as you approach the lake. After 4.5 km, you’ll reach a picnic gazebo near the lake.

--- Once you reach the gazebo, turn right and follow the narrow, switchback paths. This 1 km section can be confusing after November, as fallen leaves may block the trail.

--- After 5.5 km, you’ll reach a jeep track, which is one of the easiest parts of the trail. From this point, the trail becomes less challenging, both in terms of navigation and steepness.

--- Once you exit the forest and the views open up, at 7.4 km you’ll see the ruins of the 10th-century Chermakavan Church (Ճերմակավան եկեղեցի) on the left. Take a small 200-meter detour to visit the site for a panoramic view from the highest point of the trail. The church sits atop a hill, with only the western wall remaining. Once known as "Ak Kilise," locals now refer to it as Spitak Yeghtsi (Սպիտակ Եղցի).

--- At 7.8 km, you'll reach the Semyonovka - Khachardzan junction. Be sure to take the left trail. From this point, the trail will begin to descend.

--- At 8.5 km, be careful to turn left onto the narrow path. From this point until 13 km, the route alternates between narrow paths and jeep tracks. Some sections can be confusing, and the markings are not always clear, so keep an eye on the map. Most of this part follows the river, but you won't cross it.
There are two sections where the narrow path passes over rocks, so be cautious, as these areas are quite edgy and the stones can be slippery, especially after rain.

--- At 13.8 km, you'll cross the river. Since there is no bridge, this can be uncomfortable during the flood season (April, May, or after heavy rains in October). You can cross the river using the large tubes nearby on the right if you have good balance and want to avoid getting your feet wet.

--- The last 3 km to Khachardzan village is easy to navigate. At the end of the trail, you'll find an information signpost about the route.

◤ Where to Stay?

𝐾ℎ𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑧𝑎𝑛

I’ve found only one place to stay in Khachardzan. I haven’t stayed there myself, but here are their contact details:
Hover Guesthouse.
+37477557703.

If you stay here or at any other guesthouse in Khachardzan, please share your experience so I can recommend it to other hikers

There are also many homestays and hotels in 𝐺𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑣𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑒.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

▶ Is this trail kid-friendly?
▷ The segment from Goshavank to the lake (4.5 km) is fully kid-friendly.
Beyond the lake, it depends on the child's age and hiking ability. There are sections where the trail conditions are challenging, with narrow paths and slippery stones, which can be risky, especially after rain.
Overall, I would lean more towards "no" than "yes."

▶ Which direction to go ?
Is it better to start the hike from Khachardzan or Gosh?
▷I recommend starting from Gosh village, as the trail is less challenging in that direction, with more altitude lost (815 m) than gained (615 m). However, if you're on a multi-day hike and find yourself in Khachardzan, it’s definitely better to start from there.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐨 ?

▶ Recommended:
This trail is best enjoyed during the green season and fall. The green season lasts from May to late September, while autumn colors are at their peak for a short period in October. The best time to visit is mid-October.

▶ Not Recommended:
From November to May, the trees are bare, and the landscape can look quite bleak. While greenery may appear earlier, around mid-April, and autumn can sometimes extend until mid-November, the area generally remains dry during these months.

▶ Snowy Winter:
Gosh Lake offers a stunning view during snowy winter. However, I wouldn’t recommend hiking the full trail in winter, as many sections will be blocked by snow, turning the hike into a challenging trek. For winter, it’s better to opt for shorter hikes to Gosh Lake (4 km or 8 km via TCT). The snowy period typically starts in late December and lasts until March, depending on the season.

∝FAUNA
Most of the trails in Tavush region are village-to-village routes. However, this doesn't mean you won’t encounter wildlife along the way. Bears and wild boars inhabit the area, so be cautious and make some noise to avoid surprising them, especially when hiking alone.

≋ Water Sources
There are no reliable water sources along the trail, except for one at the beginning of the trail, near Goshavank monastery. While there are some streams and river, you'll need a water filter to make the water clear and safe to drink.

*𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒:
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